"We are bombs when the homeland calls...
We strapped ourselves with explosives...
and praised Him [Allah] for the Martyrdom"

by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik

Voice of Palestine radio has broadcast a song glorifying suicide bombings targeting Israelis. The song on the official Palestinian Authority radio station was played two days after the PA was granted observer status at the UN, and included these words:

"We are bombs... the enemies were beheaded... Grieve not, Mother, shed no tears over my torn flesh... heroic men who mock death... We praised the Lord, and set out for Martyrdom (Shahada). We strapped ourselves with explosives, and trusted in Allah... Onward men, on the roads to glory."

The song also glorified Martyrdom (Shahada - death for Allah) in general, and praised Allah for the opportunity to die for Him:

"We trusted in [Allah] the Merciful and praised Him for the Martyrdom (Shahada)"

The song presented suicide bombings that killed Israelis as worthy Islamic religious deeds. The song described leaving for the suicide bombing with the words: "We praised the Lord, and set out for Shahada." According to Islamic belief, Shahada - Martyrdom death for Allah - is a lofty achievement. The Shahid - the Martyr - is rewarded by Allah with Paradise. Since suicide bombings are portrayed as a way to achieve Shahada, killing Israelis in suicide attacks is presented in the song as the fulfillment of Allah's will.

The following is the transcript of the song on official PA radio Voice of Palestine:

Introductory narration of song:

"We have accepted [our] death, so that Jerusalem will return
We are bombs, friends, when the homeland calls
My heart, with fury, exploded and scattered
The shrapnel of this life flew and the enemies were beheaded
Grieve not, Mother, shed no tears over my torn flesh
Gather [my] bones, Mother, return them to the earth..."

Palestinian singer, Abu Arab:

"Allah Akbar (Allah is Greater)!
If you summon: "Come to self-sacrifice"
You will meet heroic men who mock death...
We praised the Lord, and set out for Martyrdom (Shahada)
We strapped ourselves with explosives, and trusted in Allah
Carry the load, heroes, show disaster to the settler
Neither day nor night will be sweet for him - until he leaves us.
Raise your fire. Raise! Burn the settler with it.
For the sake of Jerusalem and our holy place
We strapped ourselves with explosives
We trusted in [Allah] the Merciful and praised Him for the Martyrdom (Shahada)
Onward, onward, men, on the roads to glory...
We praised the Lord, and set out for Martyrdom (Shahada)
We strapped on the explosives, and trusted in Allah."